Fluid distribution system



June 16, 1942. A, D -Mac| EAN FLUID DISTRIBUTION'SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. l6,- 1938 INVENTOR. HM? D MOCZ0IZ W June 16, 1942. A. D. MacLEAN mum mswnmunon" svsmu Filed Sept. 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 v Z79 l I INVENTOR. /9//?/7 Q Mflclean. Y $7 TTORNEY'.

A. D. M LEAN v I mun prsmxsunonzsvsmm June 16; 1942.

Filed Sept. 16, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A. w 4 f I Patented June 16, 1942 FLUID DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Allen D. MacLean, Pi ttsburgh, Pa., asslgnor to Pittsburgh Equitable Meter Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September l6, 1938, Serial No. 230,343 19 Claims. (c1. 50-16) This invention relates to fluid pressure distribution systems, and particularly to gas distribution systems in which it is desired to automatically vary the pressure in the distribution main in accordance-with the consumer demand.

In the pressure control system disclosed in PatentNo. 2,093,842, issued September 21, 1937,

to Allen D. MacLean and Fritz Niesemann, a.

main regulator is controlled by the flow in a differential pressure producing device to increase or boost the outlet pressure and a limiting device prevents excessive boosts in pressure. It has been found that in pressure control systems governed by rate of flow under certain conditions there is a cumulative action whereby pressure boosts occur in wide swings, that is, once the pressure begins to build up it continues to increase until the maximum setting is reached,

whereupon the main regulator shuts off until the normal minimum pressure is resumed, whereupon the pressure again builds up to the maximum, this series of swings continuing for long periods. Systems of this type, therefore, have the disadvantage that they tend to maintain the extreme pressures instead of intermediate pressures. Furthermore, in such systems employing many regulators it becomes difficult to properly distribute the load among the various regulators.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure regulating system wherein pressure changes are made as required in successive increments whereby wide fluctuations in pressure and swings are avoided.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a pressure regulating system having a plurality of regulators in which the load may be divided among the various regulators.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pressure regulating system in which the pressure in the main is increased sufiiciently to compensate for the increased flow required at periods of maximum demand and which will maintain a predetermined normal pressure in the main at periods of low demand.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pressure regulator system which independent of the storage capacity or resistance of the distribution system.

will not besubject to surges of pressure, and

may be adjusted to compensate or nullify surges which otherwise would occur.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an automatic pressure regulating system in which the outlet pressure can be automatically increased without swinging or surging A further object is to provide a pressure .regulating system in which the controlling valve is actuated by a change in pressure followed by a period of pressure stability.

A further object of the invention is the provision" of a pressure regulating system in which the boost may be developed in any predetermined manner dependent on the rate of flow or any other desired function of the apparatus.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying'drawings wherein I haveshown a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of illustration, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a partly diagrammatic view showing a preferred modification of the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged'view ofa preferred.

pressure differential producing device and boost limiting mechanism,

Figure 3' is an enlarged view in section of the differential responsive regulator,

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the vane controller mechanism and housing,

Figure 5 is a side view with parts broken away of the vane controller mechanism and housing,

Figure 6 is a section view of the vane con-' troller mechanism and housing, certain-parts being shown in elevation,

Figure '7 is an elevation view of the nozzle bracket,'

Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional view of the nozzle case,

Figure 9 is a side view of the vane,

Figure 10 is a rear sectional view of the manometer and float,

Figure ll is a horizontal sectional view of the float operated shaft,

Figure 12 is an elevation showing the float operated shaft and mechanism operated thereby,

Figure 13 is a side view of Figure 12, and

Figure 14 is a side view of the cam adjusting mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the numerals l and 2 represent high and low pressure mains respectively of a distribution system with a regulator body 3 therebetween having a valve 5.

therein which preferably is of the balanced type. The valve 4 is connected by a lever 5 to the operating stem 8 of a pressure responsive device indicated generally by the numeral 1. The

pressure responsive device preferably comprises. a case having a diaphragm 8 therein of suitable construction and a sealing diaphragm 9 to separate the fluid pressure responsive chamber H from the pressure within the regulator body 3, and the compartment above the diaphragm 8 is vented to the atmosphere in the usual manner. The diaphragm 8 is weighted in any suitable manner, as for example, by weight I2 which can be changed as desired.

Pilot control system pivoted lever I9 having a valve member 2| at its opposite end for closing the inlet I8, the

. outlet 22 of the regulator connecting directly with the outlet chamber 28 under the diaphragm.

A conduit 25 leads from the outlet of regulator I1 to the inlet 28 of a regulator 21, and has a throttling orifice 28 interposed therein which may be fixed or adjustable as desired. Regulator I1 primarily serves to reduce the pres-- sure'in conduit 25 to some convenient value and when the pressure in main I is not too high for the diaphragm 8 and is fairly constant, regulator I1 may be omitted, if desired, conduit 25 being connected directly into main A conduit 29 is connected to conduit 25 downstream from the orifice 28 and is connected to the control chamber II of themain regulator 1. The regulator 21 has a diaphragm 33 over an outlet chamber 38 and which is secured to a pivoted lever 3| having a valve member 32 at its opposite end for closing the inlet 25. The special construction and function of the regulator 21 will be hereinafter described. A conduit 34 is connected from the outlet 35 of the regulator to the low pressure main 2.

Pressure dlfierential producing device The low pressure main 2 has a pressure differential producing device, shown diagrammatically in Figure l as an orifice plate 38 and an inserted Venturi section 39 positioned adjacent the opening 4I in the orifice plate, in which the pressure head at the throat of the Venturi section varies as the square of the velocity of the gas at the throat in known manner. The construction of the inserted Venturi section is described in detail in United States Letters Patent No. 2,093,842, issued September 21, 1937, to Allen D. MacLean and Fritz Niesemann. However, any other type of device having a function dependent on velocity may be employed.

Referring to Figure 2, the pressure differential producing device is housed in a hollow cylindrical body member 42 inserted in the pipe line and clamped by bolts 43 between the flange 44 of the regulator body 3 and fiange 45 of the adjacent pipe section of the low pressure main. The orifice plate 38 is secured by screws, or in any other suitable manner to the internal shoulder 46 of the insert 42. The insert has a hole 41 therein through which passes the pipe or conduit 49 connected by a vent 58 with the interior of the insert, and at the exterior end-is secure'd a T fitting 5| which has inserted in one branch thereof a ported body member 52 with a longitudinal channel 53 therein terminating in a restricted portion at its end which forms a valve seat 54. The conduit 48 threaded at one end into the inserted Venturi section 39 communicates with a U-shaped pipe section 56 which tail in Figure 3.

in turn communicates with a suitably enlarged chamber 51 in the valve stem. channel 58 of the bonnet member 59 threaded into the ported body member. A valve stem 88 extending through the channel 58 carries at its inner end the double seat needle valve 8| in a control chamber 52, tapered valve portions at its end fitting the seats 54 and 53. The valve stem has the valve operating member 54 which is graduated and may be read in connection with a suitable reference point on the bonnet. The conduit- 48 communicates by the channel 53 and chamber 82 with the conduit 68, while the conduit 49 communicateswith the conduit 81.

The outlet pressure regulator 68 has its inlet connected by a pipe 89 to the high pressure main I. The regulator 68 is constructed exactly like regulator I1 and functions in the same way, and therefore need not be described in detail.

A pipe 1| is connected to the outlet side of the regulator 88 and at its other end is connected to a mechanism known as a free vane controller contained] in case 12. Between the regulator 88 and the free vane controller is an adjustable valve or orifice 13, a pipe, 14 on the downstream side thereof being connected to the chamber 15 of the differential regulator 21, and

another pipe 16 on the upstream side being connected to the chamber 11 of said regulator. Any change in the velocityof gas passing through orifice 13 will produce a pressure difference on opposite sides thereof, which pressure difference is conducted toqthe chambers 15 and 11 of .the differential responsive regulator. The construction of the differential regulatoris shown in de- Difierential responsive regulator The diaphragm 33 of the regulator 21 is secured between two diaphragm pans 18 and 19 which have central holes through which extends the threaded diaphragm stem 8|. The stem 8| is threaded at its lower end 82 into the threaded hole 83 of the support 84, a washer 85 being located above the diaphragm pan 19 and the assembly being held in position by a nut 85. The outer periphery of the diaphragm is held between the flanged lower casing of the regulator and an intermediate flanged case 81 having a perforate top wall 88 located above the diaphragm 29. A second flanged case 99 havingv a perforate bottom wall 9| is secured above case 81. The stem 8| extends through a central opening 92 in the bottom wall 9| and has two nuts, 93, and washers 94 thereon, between which is clamped a sealing diaphragm 95. The outer periphery of this diaphragm 95 is clamped against the dividing wall 9| by aclamping ring '95 held thereon by screws 91 or in any other suitable manner. There is formed a sealed pressure chamber 11 between diaphragm 29 and wall 88 which has outside communication by the threaded pipe tap 99.

A second operating diaphragm IN is secured communication by the threaded pipe tap I81.

The cover- I82 of the regulator has a suitable vent I88 therein, and receives a spring I88, the compression of which may be adjusted by a plug III threaded into the extension II2 of the cover.

The extension II2 may be sealed by a cap 3. The chambers and 11 thus are subject to the differential pressure across orifice 13 which is created by the flow of fluid in pipe 1|.

From the description so far pursued it will be seen that with a constant flow occurring through orifice 13 the valve 32 of the regulator 21 will become responsive solely to the pressure in main 2 communicated thereto by conduit 34, and regulator 1 will under such conditions function in known manner to maintain a constant pressure in the main 2. However, if the flow across oriflce 13 is varied so as to vary the pressure differential across the orifice, the valve 32 will become responsive to this differential pressure and will of the velocity change across orifice 13 is im-- pressed on regulator 1 in such manner as to prevent pulsation. The manner in which this is done will now be described.

Vane controller Conduit 1| is connected to a nipple H5 (Figure 6) passing through the case 12 and a tube H6 is suitably secured at one end to the nipple, the other end being connected to a nipple 'II1 secured in position by screws through suitable bosses therein. The controller bracket has a shouldered recess I23 therein having a gasket I24 located on the shoulder. A nozzle case I25, Figures 6, 7 and 8, has a hollow boss I26 fitting the recess I23, the face thereof engaging the gasket I24 on the shoulder. A cross plate I21 secured by screws I28 in suitable bosses in the bracket IIB bears against the nozzle bracket and allows it to be swivelled about boss I26. A screw I29 passing through a lug I30 at the lower end of the nozzle case secures the nozzle case in adjusted position. A bore I3I in the bracket member communicates at one end with nipple H1 and at the other end with the recess I23, and a bore I32 in the nozzle memher-communicates with the bore I33 in the boss I26 and thereby forms a fluid connection with the tube H6.

The nozzle case is of general U shape, and has a boss I34 with a shouldered bore I35 therein which terminates in a restricted orifice, and a radial bore I39 connects with bore I38 and with groove I46 formed in the nozzle member. Passageway I32 connects with the groove I46. The nozzle I31 is secured in position with the flange I 4| engaging gasket I36 by a threaded plug I42, a gasket I43 being interposed between the plug and nozzle member to prevent leakage from the bore I38. The opposite leg of the nozzle case has a shouldered recess I44 therein which is internally threaded and a flanged nozzle I45 having a threaded stem I46 is received in this bore. The nozzle member has a bore I41 therethrough and a radial bore I48 connects the bore I41 of the nozzle with the enlarged portion of recess I44. A longitudinal bore I49 in the leg of the U connects with the transverse passageway I5I and a bore I52 connects bore I35 with transverse bore I5I.

From the foregoing description it will be ap- I I9 passing parent that fluid enters the free vane.controller through the tube II6 passing down through the passageways I3I, I32, I52, I5I and I49, and is discharged in two opposing jets from the nozzle zles I31 and I45. The controller is contained in a fluid tight case I53 having a cover I54 secured thereon and the fluid discharged from the nozzles is conveyed out of the case by the nipple I55 at the rear which connects with the conduit I56 whereby the flow is conducted back to the low pressure main 2.

The cover I54 has a bore I51 surrounded by a packing recess .I58 through which passes a vane shaft I59, one end of the shaft being reduced and ,being journalled in the bore I60 in the boss I6I of the nozzle case I25. At its outer end the shaft carries an arm I62 secured thereto by a suitable set screw, and a roller I63 is suitably journalled at the end of the arm. A vane member I64 (Figures 6 and 9) is secured on the vane shaft I59 between threaded washers I65 and I66 and is held securely in place by a lock nut I61. The vane I64 is adjusted along the shaft I59 to pass between the nozzles I31 and I45. The vane has any desired shape, for example, in the form of an inverted T, and meterably one edge I68 of gradually changing radius so as to gradually uncover the nozzle outlets. It will be apparent that the position of the vane more or less obstructs the flow through the nozzles and thereby controls the'rate of flow therethrough and through the conduit H, and thus varies the differential pressure in conduits 14 and 16. The vane may be positioned exterior of the case by means of the arm I62.

The case I53 has a lug I69 at its upper end (Figure 6) in which is secured a rod I1I having a vertical bore I12 therethrough at its end, and a plunger I13 is guided by said bore for vertical reciprocating motion. A pin I16 passing through the plunger moves in slots (not shown) in the rod HI and limits the movement thereof. Knurled washers I14 threaded onto the rod provide one abutment for spring I15, the other abutment being provided by the rod Hi. The action of the spring therefore is to maintain the plunger I13 in its uppermost position as limited by the pin I16. The bottom of the plunger has a clevis I19 in which is suitably pivoted a bifurcated cam member I8I. The upper end of the plunger rod I13 has a clevis I82 threaded thereon and a link I83 is pivotally secured thereto by a pin I84 passing throughthe clevis and a slot (not shown) in the link. A fulcrum rod I86 has a headed pivot pin I81 therein upon which the link I83-is journaled and the opposite end of the link is flattened at I88 and receives an impact screw I89 secured in position by a locknut I9I.

A synchronous electric motor I93 is secured in the casing 12, and as this motor may be of any suitable construction it will not be described in detail. An interrupter wheel I94 has knobs I95 which engage the end of impact screw I89 to intermittently raise one end of the link I83 and depress the other end thereby periodically depressing the plunger I13 carrying the cam I8I. The cam engages the roller I 63 on arm I62 with in the bifurcation, and depending on the angular position of the cam the arm I62 will be shifted periodically and thus'will periodically shift the vane I64 to a corresponding position between the nozzles to vary the flow therethrough, and thus periodically vary the differential pressure across The case 12 has a casing 20I at its rear'to center a valve seat member 201 threaded therein and having a soft valve seat 208 secured thereto. A threaded valve seat member has a flange 209 from which extends a threaded stub 2. A washer 2|2 and a soft valve member 2I3 surround stub 2H and are held in position by a retainer 2 I4 which in turn is held in position by the float rod 2I5 having a threaded bore to receive stub 2. Float rod 2I5 at-its upper end is secured to a link 2I6 pivotally mounted in the casing to operate an indicator shaft 2l1. As the details of the indicator shaft operating mechanism are described and claimed in Patent No. 2,024,059, issued December 10, 1935, to Walter H. Parker, et al., it will not be described in detail. A shipping rod 2 I8 holds the float against movement during shipping. A low pressure connection 2|9 is provided in the case and as the float chamber is partly filled with mercury, it will be'apparent that the float is positioned in the mercury in accordance with the differential pressure existing on the inside and outside of the bell.- The high pressure connection has a conduit 22I connected thereto which communicates with conduit 61 which in turn communicates with the interior of the low pressure main 2 adjacent the inserted Venturi section and a conduit 222 secured to the low pressure connection communicates when the pressure conditions return to normal so that the bell will not tend to stick in its uppermost position.

Movement of the recording shaft 2|1 operates the recording pen 225 which makes a differential pressure record on a chart adapted to be secured on pin 226 and rotated by clockwork in case 221.

A collar 228 (Figures 12 and 13) is secured on the shaft 2|1 by a set screw 229 and a segment 23I is secured to the collar in any suitable manner. The adjusting-arm 232 is secured to the collar to enable it to swivel thereabout, and has pin 233 swivelled thereon with a threaded bore extending therethrough. The segment 23I has a pin 234 swivelled thereon and an adjusting screw 235 is threaded through pin 233 and. swivelled in pin 234- whereby the angular relation of segment 23I and arm 232 may be adjusted to adjust the recording pen 225 which is carried by the arm 232. A bracket 231 (Figures 12 and 14) has a snug fit on the recording shaft casing 238 and carries a U bracket 239 which is riveted A segor otherwise suitably secured thereto. mental arm 2 is pivotally secured to the U bracket by a pirr 242 and the segmental arm 24I may be clamped in any desired position by a clamping screw 243 operating in a slot 244 in the spring I09 on the diaphragm 33.

the other end of the wire passing through a hole 241 in the cam member'IBI. As the float 206 is positioned by the difierential pressure existing across conduits 22I and 222, the arm 2 will be adjusted accordingly by its connection with the pen arm bracket 232 and will accordingly, position the cam I3I in proper proportion to the difierential pressure at the Venturi section 39,- and when the cam IBI is depressed periodically by plunger I13 it engages roller I63 on arm I62 and positions vane I64 accordingly to vary the flow through orifice 13. 4

The boost limiting device comprises a cross conduit 25I in the T 5| connected with the conduit 49 at one end and at the other end with the inlet side of the back pressure regulator 252. Regulator 252, which is partly diagrammatically shown, contains a diaphragm 253 and provides a chamber 254 above the diaphragm which is open to theatmosphere and a chamber 255 under the diaphragm which communicates with conduit 25I. The diaphragm 253 is loaded by an adjustable spring 256 or by any other suitable means and is connected to a -valve 251 which controls communication between inlet pipe 25I andoutlet conduit 253 connecting with the valve chamber 62. Thus it will be seen that valve chamber 62 can be connected with the pressure in the main 2 by closing conduit 53 by means of valve 6|, or can be connected directly thereto by opening of valve 251. Ordinarily, valve 6| is positioned clear of seats 54 and 63 in order thereby to govern the rate of boost.

The operation of the apparatus now will be described. The difierential pressure in the Venturi section 39 is transmitted by conduits 66, 222 and 61, 22I to the float 206 and positions the float in accordance therewith. The movement of float 206 is transmitted .by rod 2I5 and arm '2 I6 to indicator shaft 2I1, and shaft 2 I1 positions segment 23I which positions cam I8I by the connecting wire 245. plunger rod I13 and cam I8I are held in the lower position with the roller I63 on arm I62 received in the cam bifurcation and the vane I64 thus is positioned between the nozzles I31 and I45 to allow the desired rate of fiow therethrough and thus provide the desired differential pressure across orifice 13.

Regulator 21 has its outlet-35 connected by conduit 34 to the low pressure main and if it were not for chambers 15, 11 and their connections the valve .32 would open only when the pressure in main 2, connected b'y conduit 34 to chamber 30, falls below the load initially set by in setting up the apparatus for actual operating conditions, the differential across chambers 15 and 11 is taken into account in adjusting spring I09. Thus, if a minimum pressure of six inches water column is desired in the main 2 and a differential of one inch occurs across orifice 13 at initial setting of vane I64, the spring I09 should be set at about seven. inches water column to cause the valve 32 to close by a six inch pressure in chamber 30 and open by a lesser pressure. Regulator I1 supplies fluid through conduit 25, stabilizing orifice 28 and conduit 29 to the chamber II under diaphragm 8 and valve 4 is responsive to the pressure in chamber II. Regulator I1 is set; to deliver any desired constant pressure, for example, eleven inches of water. As long as the pressure in main 2 remains at six inches,

r valve 32 remains closed and the pressure in chamk ber II keeps valve 4 closed. Assuming first a (Figures 4 and 14.).

For initial adjustment the However,

stable conditionof demand in the low pressure main 2, the factor that'determines the opening of valve 4 is the velocity V at the throat of the Venturi section 39 (upon which depends the static pressure at the throat of the Venturi section) and under suitable conditions, and assuming main 2 has a very small volume, when the withdrawal of gas from the main 2 increases slightly the regulator valve- 4 will open only sufliciently to maintain a rate of flow V through the Venturi section proportional, to the withdrawal from the main and boost the pressure in the main 2 in an amount proportional to the square of the difierence in velocities V and V'. Where the low pressure main has considerable capacity the regulator must not only supply gas to replace that being consumed but must supply a considerable' additional flow to pack theline at the higher pressure necessary to provide a stable velocity through the Venturi section. This additional flow may occur over a long period of time at a relatively slow velocity or over a short period of time at a relative high velocity,'depending on the resistance or lack of resistance to flow in the low pressure main and other factors. When this occurs over a short period of time at a high velocity, the flow through the Venturi section may accelerate at a greater rate than the corresponding acceleration of pressure in the main 2 with the result that the pressure in main 2 lags far behind what it would be under stabilized conditions for the flow actually passing through the Venturi'section. By the time the acceleration of pressure has been brought'into correspondence with the acceleration of flow through the Venturi section, the pressure in the line may to the demand, and thus maintain said higher pressure in the main. Any corresponding change in flow in Venturi section 39 positions float 20B; and cam I8I but does not affect the position of vane I64. However, on the next stroke of plunger I13 the cam I8I is moved to a new position corresponding to the flow through Venturi section 39, and the differential pressure across oriflce I3 becomes stabilized at a new value so that valve 4 opens to increase the pressure main 2 until a pressure is built up to compensate for this increased unloading ofspring I09. Actually, the plunger II3 will be operated at intervals of about forty to ninety seconds so that the boosting steps are more gradual, but any desired frequency of operation of plunger II3 may be employed.--

When the pressure in main 2'mounts too high, this pressure, which is communicated to the regulator chamber 255 through conduits I and 49 and 50 fraises the diaphragm 253 to open the valve 251 which allows flow from the conduit 25I to the conduit 258 and valve chamber 51, thence by passage 53 and conduit 48 to the throat of the Venturi section 39 and equalizes the pressure have built up far beyond the desired boost. The

flow through the Venturi section then may decelerate at a greater rate than it accelerated, thus causing the valve 4 to close relatively rapidly, and this valve will remain closed until the consumption of gas from the main 2 has reduced the pressure therein to the minimum setting. This action causes a very undesirable pulsation of the regulator valve.

In the present system the motor I93 periodinext depressed the cam I8I will shift arm I62v across float 206. This returns cam I8I to initial position and on the next stroke of plunger II3 the vane I64 is returned to initial position. The differential across orifice I3 now decreases and valve 32 is closed by the pressure in chamber 30 and remains closed until the pressure in main 2 returns to the desired value.

By carrying out the boosting operation in successive steps hunting or pulsation of the regulator valve 4 is eliminated'as the frequency of the boost steps can be adjusted to avoid resonatingor oscillating system. The stepping down in pressure also is carried out in steps and likewise avoids pulsation of the regulator 4.

It will be understood that various modifications may be made in my invention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof. For example,

chamber II may be connected directly with the throat of the Venturi section 39 instead of the arrangement shown in Figure l, and a suitable valve in this connection may be periodically opv valve for controlling passage of fluid between said and vane I64 and thus further uncover the openings of nozzles I31 and I45 and allow an increased flow across orific 13. When the cam I8I rises the vane I64 is left in fixed position for a predetermined period anddt will be seen that the difierential pressure across orifice I3 conducted to chambers I5 and I1 is stabilized. The increased differential pressure in chambers I5 and 11 serves to counteract the spring I09 and opens valve 32, thus allowing gas to escape from conduit 29 and reducing the pressure in chamber II to cause valve 3 to open wider until the pressure in main 2 has built up to a sufficiently higher value to compensate for this unloading of spring I09. If, during this period any further changes in-demand occur to cause a decrease in pressure in main 2, the pressure in chamber 30 will govern the action of valve 3 so that this valve can operate to maintain a flow into main 2 equal only mains. a pressure responsive device'having means connected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a differential pressure producing device to produce a differential pressure responsive to 'gas velocity, a conduit connected between the pressure responsive device and said low pressure main whereby said pressure responsive device tends to maintain a constant pressure in said main, means to load said pressure responsive device by the difierential pressure, and means for intermittently changing the differential pressure applied to said pressure responsive device.

2. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected-to said valve to govern the operation thereof;a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, a pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low determined intervals and means to intermittently vary the differential impressed on said latter valve in accordance with the rate of flow in the low pressure main. a

3.' In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a

valve for controlling passage of fluid between said a mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, a pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low pressure main, a second conduit carrying a flow-of fluid, a pressure differential device in said-second conduit, means to conduct the pressure difierenconnected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, a, pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low pressure main, 9. second conduit carrying a flow of fluid, a pressure differential device in said second conduit, means to conduct the pressure difierential to said pressure controlledxvalve to load the same, a vane to control the rate of flow in said. second conduit, intermittently actuated means,

for positioning said vane, and means dependent on the rate of flow in thelow pressure main to locate said positioning means.

5. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve to govern the'operation thereof, a conduitfor supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, a pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low pressure main, a second conduit carrying a flow of fluid, a pressure differential device in said second conduit, means to conduct the pressure differential to said pressure controlled valve to load the same, a vane to control the rate of flow in said second conduit, feeler means for positioning said vane, means dependent on the rated flow in the low pressure main to position said feeler means, and means for intermittently engaging said feeler means to position said vane.

6. In a fluid flow regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a conduit for supplying fluid'under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, 9, pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the'low pressure main, a second conduit carrying a flow of fluid, a pressure differential device in said second conduit, means to conduct the pressure differential to said pressure controlled valve to load the same, a vane to control the rate of flow in saidconduit, a pressure differential producing device in said low pressure main, a manometer tube, a float in said manometer tube, means to impress the pressure differential developed in'the low pressure mainon'said float, a shaft, means connecting said float and shaft, a feeler cam connected to said shaft, and a synchronous electric motor for intermittently moving said cam for pcsitioning said vane.

7. In a fluid flow regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of. fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main to said pressure responsive device and discharging into the low pressure main, a pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low pressure main, a second conduit carrying a flow of fluid, a pressure difierential device in said second conduit, means to conduct the pressure differential to said pressure controlled valve to load the same, a vane to control the rate of flow in said conduit, a pressure differential producing device in said low pressure main, a manometer tube, a float in said manometer tube, means to impress the pressure differential developed in the low pressure main on said float, a shaft, means connecting said float and shaft, a plunger rod, a feeler cam carried by the plunger rod and connected to said shaft, and means for intermittently moving said plunger rod for positioning said cam.

8. In a fluid flow regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve to govern the operation thereof, a conduit connected to the low pressure main and to said pressure responsive device to control the operation thereof, a pressure controlled valve in said conduit subject to the pressure in the low pressure main, a source ,of pressure differential, means to conduct the pressure differential to said pressure controlled valve to load the same, means positioned by the rate of flow in the low pressure main to change said pressure differential, and means for intermittently operating said pressure differential changing means.

9. In a fluid pressure regulating system, a low pressure main, a plurality of high pressure mains, a plurality of valves for controlling passage of fluid from said high pressure mains to said low pressure main, pressure responsive devices having means connected to said valves respectively to govern the operation thereof, means for supplying fluid under pressure to control the operation thereof, differential pressure producing devices responsive to gas velocity, means to transmit the differential pressure produced across the differential pressure producing devices to control the pressure responsive devices respectively and means to intermittently change said differential pressure transmitted to said pressure responsive devices.

10. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device to control the operation thereof, a difierential pressure producing device responsive to gas velocity, means to apply the difierential pressure s produced to automatically load the pressure responsive device, and means to intermittently connect and disconnect the difierential producing device and the pressure responsive-device.

11. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the

combination of a high and low pressure main, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure controlling device for the low pressure main, a differential producing device responsive to flow rate, means for influencing the pressure controlling device by the differential producing device, and means to alternately connect and disconnect the pressure controlling device with the differential responsive device, and means to control the relative length of time of connection and disconnection.

12. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve for controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device providing two chambers and having means connected to said valve' to govern the operation thereof, means for supplying a flow of gas to one of said chambers to produce a pressure efiect on said pressure responsive means, means responsive to gas velocity in said low pressure main to produce a differential pressure, and means responsive to said difierential pressure to vary said flow of gas to said chamber, and means intermittently disconnecting said differential pressure from said latter responsive means to periodically stabilize said valve. 7

13. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains. valve means controlling passage of fluid between said mains, pressure responsive means to govern the operation of said valve, and means intermittently operated to load said pressure responsive means in accordance with the rate of flow in the low pressure main. I

is. in a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, valve means controlling passage of fluid between said mains, a pilot operated pressure responsive means to govern the operation of said valve. means for loading said pressure responsive means in accordance with the flow in the low pressure main, and means for intermittently stabilizing said loading means.

15. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a valve controlling passage 01 fluid between said mains, a pressure responsive device having operating means connected to said valve, a conduit including an outlet pressure regulator for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main at a predetermined pressure to said pressure responsive device to control the operation thereof and discharging into the low pressure main, a valve in said conduit, means responsive to the pressure in the low pressure main for controlling said valve, 9. source 01 low pressure, and meansfor intermittently impress- "ing said low pressure upon said latter means for loading the'same.

16. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and low pressure mains, a

valve for controlling passage of fluid between,

said mains, a pressure responsive device having valve operating means connected to said valve, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure to said pressure responsive device to control the operation thereof, valve means in said conduit for relieving the pressure therein, a source of low pressure, means responsive to the source of low pressure for controlling said latter valve, means for intermittently applying said low pressure to said latter means, and means for controlling the time interval of operation of said intermittent means.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of high and low pressure mains, valve means controlling passage between said mains, a pressure responsive device having means connected to said valve, a conduit for supplying fluid pressure tolsaid pressure responsive-device to control the operation thereof, a relief valve in said conduit, a differential pressure producing device, and means for loading said relief valve by the differential pressure at predetermined intervals, comprising a uniiormly operating motor, a conduit between said relief valve and differential pressure producing device, and valve means in said latter conduit intermittently operated by said motor. I

18. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the combination of high and'low pressure mains, valve means controlling passage of fluid between said mains, pressure responsive means to govern the operation of said valve, a conduit including an outlet pressure regulator for supplying fluid under pressure from the high pressure main at a predetermined pressure to said pressure responsive means, a second outlet pressure regulator in said conduit for venting the pressure therein, a source of differential pressure, and means for intermittently impressing said difierential pressure upon said outlet pressure regulator ior controlling the pressure in said conduit.

19. In a fluid pressure regulating system, the

valve controlling passage of fluid between said A mains, a pressure responsive device having operating means connected to said valve, a conduit for supplying fluid under pressure to said pressure responsive device to control the operation thereof, an outlet pressure controlled relief valve in said/conduit comprising a casing having an inlet connected to said conduit and an outlet, a valve for controlling flow between said inlet and outlet, a diaphragm connected to said valve and providing a control chamber in direct communl cation with said outlet, a dividingwall provid-' ing a confined chamber on the opposite side of said diaphragm, a second diaphragm providing a confined chamber on the opposite side of said dividing wall, means connecting said diaphragms for conjoint movement, means for sealing said connecting means with relation to said dividing 

